Did lots of research, went to a bike shop, found one. Now I need your help!

Hey guys! Been bouncing in and out of this forum over the past month. Been waiting to pull a trigger on a bike. Went back and forth on what I wanted but ended up deciding to go with a front fork suspension, mid-grade, used bike for my first round. I will be riding this 30 miles a week for my work commute and then taking it on trails on the weekends. Before I pull the trigger, I want to know if anyone passing by the mountain bike section in the next 24 hours thinks this is a good/bad/fair buy. This will be my first bike that isn't a junker hand-me-down or from Walmart. The bike shop is keeping it in the back until closing time tomorrow.

The price on it is $480.

Since I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what the brands or quality are of parts, I took some pictures of the things that I could think of. Hopefully this is enough for the experienced bikers to give me their 2 cents.

Which is actually a nicer bike. Here's the catch: rental bikes tend to get beat on. If it's in good condition and everything works well, that's a great bike for $480. If it looks beat to hell, then walk away. Check the fork to make sure it's not leaving grease all over the stanchions. Make sure all the gears work right. Check the brakes. Look for dents. If it checks out, go for it. If not, look elsewhere.

Which is actually a nicer bike. Here's the catch: rental bikes tend to get beat on. If it's in good condition and everything works well, that's a great bike for $480. If it looks beat to hell, then walk away. Check the fork to make sure it's not leaving grease all over the stanchions. Make sure all the gears work right. Check the brakes. Look for dents. If it checks out, go for it. If not, look elsewhere.

THANKS! The guy told me it was a Hardrock. It didn't say it on the frame. The bike is worn a bit, but I rode it for 10 minutes and everything on it felt good. The breaks were squeeky and I told them that, and they said they would make sure it was quiet before they sold it to me. Thanks for looking it up for me!

Not that I know of. I will ask them. They are a well-rated bike store in boulder. They do free tune-ups every year if you get the bike from them. I will ask if they have some sort of warranty on it. Is there an industry standard?

You're buying a used, secondhand bike that won't be covered by factory warranty.

Ask the bike shop if any type of warranty comes with the bike, they might offer you something themselves.

Every post I have made regarding insurance or a warranty has had the bike shop clearly in context. I never asked about a factory warranty nor do I expect one. I will make sure to ask the shop tomorrow if they have any insurance for my bike before I buy it. I appreciate the help! Definitely a nice trend here.

Seems like a good deal, if the bike appears in good shape. I think a warranty, per se, is too much to ask on a used bike that is a good deal. However, maybe a deal could be made that they cover anything major except abuse for a month. Then, you just need to make sure to get out enough in that first month so that anything truly ready to fail will fail.

Seems like a good deal, if the bike appears in good shape. I think a warranty, per se, is too much to ask on a used bike that is a good deal. However, maybe a deal could be made that they cover anything major except abuse for a month. Then, you just need to make sure to get out enough in that first month so that anything truly ready to fail will fail.

1st--The price on the bike is a good deal but only if it is in good shape. The pic that you sent showed the frame and it looked pretty rough, as you would expect from a rental. The seat post--is that surface rust or just brown? I really could not tell from the photo.
I think that buying a used bike is a good idea but I do not like buying a rental, especially a mtb as they tend to get abused. If you are going to do some serious mtb the fork is really made for light trails. I just saw a 2014 Giant ATX 29er go new at my LBS for $440
00. It seems like they had the same fork. I am not sure what your budget is but a new Giant Revel 29er is $550.00.
Personally, I would watch Craigs List if you want to go used because you will find many bikes there that have gotten little to no mileage on them.
I know that I ride my bikes pretty hard but I have never had a frame that was as scratched up as the one in the picture you shared. I just think that you can do better on Craigs List and by watching sales and closeouts.

Seems like a good deal, if the bike appears in good shape. I think a warranty, per se, is too much to ask on a used bike that is a good deal. However, maybe a deal could be made that they cover anything major except abuse for a month. Then, you just need to make sure to get out enough in that first month so that anything truly ready to fail will fail.

I like that idea. I will definitely bring it up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuffleman

1st--The price on the bike is a good deal but only if it is in good shape. The pic that you sent showed the frame and it looked pretty rough, as you would expect from a rental. The seat post--is that surface rust or just brown? I really could not tell from the photo.
I think that buying a used bike is a good idea but I do not like buying a rental, especially a mtb as they tend to get abused. If you are going to do some serious mtb the fork is really made for light trails. I just saw a 2014 Giant ATX 29er go new at my LBS for $440
00. It seems like they had the same fork. I am not sure what your budget is but a new Giant Revel 29er is $550.00.
Personally, I would watch Craigs List if you want to go used because you will find many bikes there that have gotten little to no mileage on them.
I know that I ride my bikes pretty hard but I have never had a frame that was as scratched up as the one in the picture you shared. I just think that you can do better on Craigs List and by watching sales and closeouts.

The frame was definitely beat up, but I rode it around the block for a bit and everything felt nice (except a squeeky back break which they said they would fix). The shop was very open about the bike being a rental and they told me they make sure their used bikes are healthy before selling (of course this could just be the salesman pitch).

The problem with watching craigslist is that I have been doing that for over a month without much luck. I am pretty ignorant on bikes, so someone could probably sneak something bad by me at the point of sale. Because of that, I just want a fair deal that will get me out and learning what I like and don't like about a mountain bike.

Side note: I have to make my decision by 4 pm tonight (mtn time -7:00 hours).

The frame was definitely beat up, but I rode it around the block for a bit and everything felt nice (except a squeeky back break which they said they would fix). The shop was very open about the bike being a rental and they told me they make sure their used bikes are healthy before selling (of course this could just be the salesman pitch).

The problem with watching craigslist is that I have been doing that for over a month without much luck. I am pretty ignorant on bikes, so someone could probably sneak something bad by me at the point of sale. Because of that, I just want a fair deal that will get me out and learning what I like and don't like about a mountain bike.

Side note: I have to make my decision by 4 pm tonight (mtn time -7:00 hours).

Craigs list is always hit or miss. I have a hard time because I am 6'02 and bikes my size never seem to come up when I am looking.
Specialized is a good brand. I am not sure that the deal is so good that you have to pressure yourself into buying today. If you get a chance go to a local shop that sells Giant. You can get a Giant ATX for around $450. This has a little lower quality groupset on it but it is a very nice bike. Also, the Giant Revel is comparable to that Specialized and it is only $550 new. I only mention Giant because it is a big brand that is probably in your area. They tend to be a little lower in cost. There are many bikes in your price range that will fit your bill. Do you have Performance bike in your area? They have some nice Fuji's and GT's in that same price range. I just think that the bike you showed was pretty beat up. Your price point is perfectly fine for a nice entry level new bike or a little better used bike.
Do yourself a favor go look at the Giants and even Trek's in your area. Trek has the Marlin's and 3 series that are right in your range as well. Go ride one of those bikes just to compare it to the Specialized. See what you think.

Craigs list is always hit or miss. I have a hard time because I am 6'02 and bikes my size never seem to come up when I am looking.
Specialized is a good brand. I am not sure that the deal is so good that you have to pressure yourself into buying today. If you get a chance go to a local shop that sells Giant. You can get a Giant ATX for around $450. This has a little lower quality groupset on it but it is a very nice bike. Also, the Giant Revel is comparable to that Specialized and it is only $550 new. I only mention Giant because it is a big brand that is probably in your area. They tend to be a little lower in cost. There are many bikes in your price range that will fit your bill. Do you have Performance bike in your area? They have some nice Fuji's and GT's in that same price range. I just think that the bike you showed was pretty beat up. Your price point is perfectly fine for a nice entry level new bike or a little better used bike.
Do yourself a favor go look at the Giants and even Trek's in your area. Trek has the Marlin's and 3 series that are right in your range as well. Go ride one of those bikes just to compare it to the Specialized. See what you think.

Alright, maybe I will let this bike go... The guys at the shop told me the nice weather has had the bike I was looking at flying out the door. They had 10 last week and are now down to 2, so if I let this one back onto the floor tonight, I fear it may not be there for me later. But I can be patient. I have been patient this far.

Craigs list is always hit or miss. I have a hard time because I am 6'02 and bikes my size never seem to come up when I am looking.
Specialized is a good brand. I am not sure that the deal is so good that you have to pressure yourself into buying today. If you get a chance go to a local shop that sells Giant. You can get a Giant ATX for around $450. This has a little lower quality groupset on it but it is a very nice bike. Also, the Giant Revel is comparable to that Specialized and it is only $550 new. I only mention Giant because it is a big brand that is probably in your area. They tend to be a little lower in cost. There are many bikes in your price range that will fit your bill. Do you have Performance bike in your area? They have some nice Fuji's and GT's in that same price range. I just think that the bike you showed was pretty beat up. Your price point is perfectly fine for a nice entry level new bike or a little better used bike.
Do yourself a favor go look at the Giants and even Trek's in your area. Trek has the Marlin's and 3 series that are right in your range as well. Go ride one of those bikes just to compare it to the Specialized. See what you think.

Actually there is a performance cycle in the area. I am going to rush over there after work and show them the pictures of the bike I am looking at and ask them what they can do for me. If they find one of the bikes you are referencing then I will probably go that route. If they don't have anything comparable, I will go take one last look at the used rental bike and decide if it looks good enough for a purchase.

Actually there is a performance cycle in the area. I am going to rush over there after work and show them the pictures of the bike I am looking at and ask them what they can do for me. If they find one of the bikes you are referencing then I will probably go that route. If they don't have anything comparable, I will go take one last look at the used rental bike and decide if it looks good enough for a purchase.

Check out the Fuji Nevada if you are a male or the Lea if you are a female. GT has the Timberline there as well. I am not sure if you are male or female but either way Performance has some nice Fuji's or GT's there in your price range with the same Suntour fork and groupset that you were looking at. My wife just looked at the Fuji Lea's when we were there a few weeks ago. I was impressed with that and the Fuji Nevada while looking around.
If you do buy a bike from Performance make sure that you sign up for their club program. I think that it is $20 for the year. If you do, you get 10% back. Thus for $20 membership you get $44 back in points. Thus, you can pick up a helmet or whatever. It is a pretty good program. I always buy small things there so I have never joined but I probably should because I know that I spend more than $200 there this year.
Good luck.

Check out the Fuji Nevada if you are a male or the Lea if you are a female. GT has the Timberline there as well. I am not sure if you are male or female but either way Performance has some nice Fuji's or GT's there in your price range with the same Suntour fork and groupset that you were looking at. My wife just looked at the Fuji Lea's when we were there a few weeks ago. I was impressed with that and the Fuji Nevada while looking around.
If you do buy a bike from Performance make sure that you sign up for their club program. I think that it is $20 for the year. If you do, you get 10% back. Thus for $20 membership you get $44 back in points. Thus, you can pick up a helmet or whatever. It is a pretty good program. I always buy small things there so I have never joined but I probably should because I know that I spend more than $200 there this year.
Good luck.

Awesome I wrote all the bike names down. Thanks! If anyone wants to comment on Shuffleman's suggestions, that would be great too!

Oh really? The mechanical pieces on it seems in top notch shape tbh. But I am also a newb. You would recommend the specialized based on what I have described about it?

Yes, I recommend the Specialized based on your description, assuming it fits you. It is a bike with an MSRP of over $800, but the other bikes being suggested are all $400-$500 bikes. There are some major differences between the Specialized and some of the least expensive bike shop bikes.

If the Specialized was in decent shape (mechanically, not aesthetically) then it is 10 times the bike that the Giants or the Fuji is.

Wilfred, have you followed the post from the beginning? Have you looked at the picture that was uploaded?
I agree that the Rockhopper is a better bike than the Giant ATX or Revel. It is also better than the Fuji Nevada. All of them have the same front fork. The Giant Revel comes with the same Shimano Alivio and Acera mix Groupset. They both have Textro disc brakes. Even when new the Rockhopper is not even close to 10x better. It is slightly better. I would take the Giant new and put an air shock on it and I have a better ride for less than the Rockhopper just like that.
Of course that is beside the point. The OP has $480 to purchase a bike and was looking at what appeared to be a very scratched up used rental Rockhopper. Go look at the picture of that particular bike and then make your recomendation of what you would rather have. The frames of the Specialized, Giant and Fuji are all good frames. The groupsets are all similiar as well. Ditto for the forks. For $450 would you rather have that particular ragged out looking Rockhopper or a new Giant or Fuji?
If you look at the picture please tell us why you feel that that particular bike for $480 is 10X's the bike of a NEW Giant Revel, ATX or Fuji Nevada.
(Keep in mind that the Rockhopper is only $880 new. Unless you put an air shock on it and possibly upgrade to SLX I am not sure how it is even 2x the bike. New for the same price, I would go with the Rockhopper. That particular bike or the others for a new price and it is a no brainer)

wondering how long your commute is and compare and contrast the usages for commuting to trail riding, which questions the type of bike you are focusing on. meaning if you'll be commuting on paved surfaces more than weekend trail riding, then maybe a road bike is in order. nothing wrong with getting 2 bikes :-)

wondering how long your commute is and compare and contrast the usages for commuting to trail riding, which questions the type of bike you are focusing on. meaning if you'll be commuting on paved surfaces more than weekend trail riding, then maybe a road bike is in order. nothing wrong with getting 2 bikes :-)

30 miles a week in commuting. I plan on riding at least once a week on trails though (on or near the mountains). I would get two bikes, but I don't want to drop the money just yet. The ride to work isn't bad at all. I just want to make sure the bike I posted is worth the $500 price range. Other users suggested similar bikes, and I am fine with looking at those too, but I need to just pick something. I have been waiting a month to pull the trigger! I'm itching to ride so badly. The frame on that bike in my original post is definitely beat up. The mechanical parts seemed to look awesome (the plastic cover on the gear visualization was broken though). Again, I don't really know how to judge if the pieces on the bike looked good besides saying "ooo that looks shiny!"

Wilfred, have you followed the post from the beginning? Have you looked at the picture that was uploaded?
I agree that the Rockhopper is a better bike than the Giant ATX or Revel. It is also better than the Fuji Nevada. All of them have the same front fork. The Giant Revel comes with the same Shimano Alivio and Acera mix Groupset. They both have Textro disc brakes. Even when new the Rockhopper is not even close to 10x better. It is slightly better. I would take the Giant new and put an air shock on it and I have a better ride for less than the Rockhopper just like that.
Of course that is beside the point. The OP has $480 to purchase a bike and was looking at what appeared to be a very scratched up used rental Rockhopper. Go look at the picture of that particular bike and then make your recomendation of what you would rather have. The frames of the Specialized, Giant and Fuji are all good frames. The groupsets are all similiar as well. Ditto for the forks. For $450 would you rather have that particular ragged out looking Rockhopper or a new Giant or Fuji?
If you look at the picture please tell us why you feel that that particular bike for $480 is 10X's the bike of a NEW Giant Revel, ATX or Fuji Nevada.
(Keep in mind that the Rockhopper is only $880 new. Unless you put an air shock on it and possibly upgrade to SLX I am not sure how it is even 2x the bike. New for the same price, I would go with the Rockhopper. That particular bike or the others for a new price and it is a no brainer)

You are right. I was exaggerating with the '1-X' comment. I apologize. Maybe 1.1X better than the best of the other bikes.

I saw the scratches and they will have no effect on the way the bike functions.